Household & Hazardous
Motor oil
used motor oil, engine oil, used oil, car oil, synthetic motor oil
Can you recycle?
Sometimes
Sometimes — used motor oil is hazardous and never goes in your bin or down the drain. Take it to a household hazardous-waste site or an auto shop.
How to prepare
1. Let the oil cool completely. 2. Pour it into a clean, leak-proof container with a tight lid — the original bottle is ideal. 3. Keep it separate from other fluids like antifreeze or brake fluid. 4. Take it to a household hazardous-waste facility, collection event, or an auto shop that accepts used oil.
Common mistakes
Pouring used oil down the drain or onto the ground — it's illegal and pollutes water. Mixing it with other fluids, which makes it unrecyclable. Putting the container in your recycling bin.
What happens after you recycle it?
Used motor oil is filtered and re-refined into fresh lubricating oil or processed into industrial fuel — the same oil can be re-refined again and again.
Drop-off guidance
Used motor oil goes to a household hazardous-waste facility, a community hazardous-waste collection event, or an auto parts store or garage that accepts used fluids. Many take it free of charge.
FAQs
Can I recycle used motor oil?
Yes, but never at home. Used oil is hazardous and must go to a household hazardous-waste site or an auto shop, where it's cleaned and re-refined.
Where can I recycle motor oil near me?
Use the lookup above for your nearest hazardous-waste facility or a participating auto parts store or garage.
Is it free to recycle motor oil?
Usually yes. Many hazardous-waste sites and auto shops accept used motor oil free of charge.
Can I get paid to recycle motor oil?
Not normally, though some auto shops offer credits or discounted oil changes when you bring used oil back.
